Beginners Bunny Bunting – ideal for hand or machine sewing

Bunnies for BuntingBunny Bunting is a great sewing project for beginners.You can use different hand stitches to decorate your bunny, or learn how to control a sewing machine as you follow the bunny contours.

Are you ready to get Bunny Bunting busy? Firstly, make yourself a Bunny Bunting template – the internet is a great place to look for bunny shapes. The bigger the ears the better! Continue reading

Top Tips for Understanding Crochet Charts

Finished one skein wonder fan centred scarfMy sister-in-law is an amazing crocheter. She is able to glance at a chart, instinctively know what all the symbols mean, and then pick up her hook and create a corresponding crochet masterpiece. She has long encouraged me to learn how to read a crochet chart and at last I have done it!

It has opened up a whole new world for me where language no longer matters.

Here is my first crochet chart make.

The design is based on the Fan Centred Scarf in Judith Durant and Edie Eckman’s Crochet One-Skein Wonder book.

Can you see those beautiful fan shapes at its centre?

Rolled Fan Centred Scarf If you haven’t used a chart before – just have a go! There are so many reasons why: Continue reading

Knicker Making Mayhem

KnickersToday’s post is all about having some fun – if you have ever wanted to make some Knickers read on!

As a knicker-making virgin I’ve opted for a kit. Although I’m using Flo-Jo’s Fancy Pants Knicker Making Kit there are also several others which are worth checking out such as those by Trixie Lixie.

Continue reading

Taking Better Craft Blog Photos

Father Christmas was very kind to me this year – in a very loooooong stocking I found some…

Mini studio lights (for better pictures in the long winter nights) and a tripod (for those close up crochet shots)!
Photo lampRed Snapper Tripod with Ball head

I’ve finally managed to find some time this weekend to do some reading on how to take a better photo and have come across some wonderful sites which I wanted to share. Continue reading

A Jelly Roll Quilt of Blogging Friendship

Finished friendship braid quiltOnce upon a time, way back in 2013, one Jelly Roll began it’s transformation into a very special quilt.

The start of the story was easy – each Jelly Roll was cut into trapezoids which were in turn sewn together to make a friendship braid. The design was based on a friendship braid from one of Pam and Nicky Lintott’s Jelly Roll books. The braids flew together so quickly – I totally loved Jenn Ski’s 50s and 60s Mod Century fabrics and their vibrant and zingy effect that couldn’t fail to warm you up even on the coldest winter day.

Braids laid together

It was once the braids were finished that the friendship quilt really began to live up to its name as its design became influenced and guided by our beautiful blogging community. Continue reading